Medusa Undone
by Bella Poynton

Name: Medusa Undone
Brand: Bella Poynton
SKU: 9780573710605
Rating: 3.5 (8 reviews)

Medusa Undone Book Cover — Medusa Undone Cover

Highlights

Female

Male

90 mins Greek/Roman/Biblical Strong Role for Leading Woman (Star Vehicle) Unit Set/Multiple Settings Period Costumes

Synopsis

A theatrical retelling of the little-known Medusa origin story.

Before she was one of the greatest mythical monsters of all time, Medusa was a kind, beautiful sea-nymph in Athena's service.

Unparalleled in both her beauty and devotion to the Gods, Medusa catches the eye of the charming but narcissistic Poseidon.

Interested only in the passions of the spirit, and not the flesh, Medusa feels she has no choice but to reject the greedy God.

For this, she not only suffers violence at the hand of Poseidon, but also incites a deep-seated jealousy in Athena, with horrific and disturbing consequences.

Medusa Undone explores how rape culture reverberates through the ages, and calls attention to the great injustice suffered by female victims of abuse.

Press Reviews

"Writer Bella Poynton frames the story as a critique of rape culture… Medusa is the sort of vital feminist character not seen enough onstage."
— The Chicago Reader

"The play does not shy away from the reality of Medusa’s experience—but nothing is included for shock value... Every line in Medusa Undone has been written and delivered with exact precision."
— Pop Mythology

"Poynton’s powerful statement gains even more heft from #MeToo, and is well served by the performances in its Western New York premiere."
— The Buffalo News

"Medusa Undone is not a student production, but I can certainly see it becoming a favorite on college campuses."
— Buffalo Rising

"Since everything about Medusa Undone is exceptional, it’s hard to know where to start!"
— The Grunion

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Athena Nike Female, 20s-30s, the Goddess of War and Strategy.	female	20s	Female, 20s-30s, the Goddess of War and Strategy.
Poseidon Male, 30s, the God of the Sea.	male	30s	Male, 30s, the God of the Sea.
Stheno Female, 20s-30s, Medusa’s immortal sea-gorgon sister.	female	20s	Female, 20s-30s, Medusa’s immortal sea-gorgon sister.
Clea Female, late 30s to 40s, the high priestess at the temple of Athena.	female	30s	Female, late 30s to 40s, the high priestess at the temple of Athena.
Medusa Female, 20s, a mortal woman from the sea.	female	20s	Female, 20s, a mortal woman from the sea.